A little child holds up two or three fingers to proudly say, “I’m these many.” Youngsters look forward to their birthdays that mark the time of their lives; five years, then double digits at ten, teen years, 21, 40s, and 50s all seem to just rush by. Miles stone birthdays are notable celebrations with family and best friends, especially if you celebrate your 100th birthday. That’s a lot of candles to blow out.
Berny Claridge, a petite little lady with quick wit and laughing eyes, celebrated her 100th birthday. Her five children and their spouses, twelve grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; her dear 82-year-old cousin, Addie, from Portland Oregon, nephews, nieces, and friends, 125 people in all, gathered to honor her on February 22. Berny, a life-long resident of North Royalton, gave an interview to the Recorder from her room at A Place to Call Home.
Helen Bernadine Malone was born on February 25,1920. She was another girl in the long line of Helens. Her mom was Helen, her grandma was Helen, so they called her Bernadine to make the distinction. When she was nine, her dad, Herbert Malone, died; she was orphaned at twelve with the death of her mom. Bernadine’s aunt, her mom’s sister, Marie Mullen, raised her. Aunt Marie married Ralph Lilley and they had girls, Mary Ellen and Addy, who grew up like sisters to Berny. Berny remembers growing up on a farm and taking the produce to market, “We used a horse and wagon to get to Cleveland, we didn’t have a truck.” Berny also recalled when she officially changed her name from Bernadine to Berny. “I was a junior in high school and was purchasing a high school jacket. The company allowed just five letters for the name on lower edge. Bernadine was just too long, so I shortened the name to the five letters available, B-E-R-N-Y. I have been known as Berny ever since,” she added with a twinkle in her eye.
Berny graduated from Brecksville High School in June of 1937, she worked at Sherwin Williams in Downtown Cleveland, which was quite a bus ride back in the 30s and 40s. She also tended her uncle’s bar that was located on the corner of Royalton and Ridge Roads. It was while working at the bar she met her future husband Harry. She and Harry Babroski were married at Assumption Church on Broadview Road, on September 2, 1944. “It was a really hot day and I really sweated in a satin dress” she said. It was war time, many people saved up and pitched in ration coupons for the food for the wedding and gas coupons for the honeymoon in Niagara Falls.
Berny and Harry bought the bar from her uncle and called it Harry and Berny’s. “When we went to purchase food for the bar, we had to go all the way into Kamms Corners to the grocery store. In 1944 and ’45, everyone was using war ration coupons for food. We were a business and could pay by check.” Harry and Berny’s was a landmark in North Royalton for many years.
Harry and Berny had two daughters, Karen and Judy. They were married for fourteen years when sadness struck, and Harry died in 1958. Berny was alone with the girls, but Harry’s best friend, Smokey Claridge, helped the family along. Berny had known Smokey since he was seven.
When Smokey married the love of his life, Berny Babroski, Fr. Winters, the pastor of the newly established St. Albert the Great, had remodeled his garage to use as a chapel before the church was built. Smokey and Berny were the first wedding in the parish chapel on December 31, 1959. Berny said, “We always had a good celebration for our wedding anniversary. I would put out a nice spread at the bar and everyone would come for New Year’s Eve and our anniversary.” Berny explained that, “North Royalton was a rural area at the time. Smokey worked for the city and I ran the bar so between the two of us we knew just about everybody.” Smokey and Berny had three children, Susan, Eugene and Tommy. Berny noted that, “I was over forty when I had the last three.”
As the kids were growing up and getting married, Smokey and Berny enjoyed their time together. Their favorite entertainer was ‘Old Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra’ but their favorite song was, “What a Difference a Day Makes,” by Dinah Washington. And then there was the country star, Garth Brooks. Berny said, “We were driving in our car and Smokey was holding my hand singing to me along with Garth, ‘If Tomorrow Never Comes.’ It was so loving,” then she said in a softer voice. “Smokey died the next day.” That was in 1993.
Berny loved living in North Royalton, especially in her house where the entire family would gather for Christmas Eve. The crowd got to be 40 people so the garage was converted to a dining hall, “so we could all fit together at dinner.”
Berny said she was surprised how fast the city built up in the 80s and 90s, “It’s not rural at all.” Most of all she is surprised that the building that used to be the bar and then a real estate office was finally torn down for the widening of the 82 and Ridge Road intersection. “Route 82 is finally being widened!” Berny said with a little shake of her head.
Berny may not be as busy as she once was, she is still a sparky little lady who keeps in contact with all her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. It’s a full life. Happy Birthday Berny.
By LINDA KWARCIANY
Contributing Writer